Principal’s Message

Coronavirus Bulletin No. 5

As of this morning 971 students have returned to Mount View to begin their studies for 2020. Ninety-nine students continue to complete their home learning during their self-isolation periods. The smooth transition to normal routines will be completed over the next two weeks. It was reassuring to read in The Age this morning that, of the four reported cases on Coronavirus in Victoria, three people have fully recovered and the fourth person is progressing very well and is likely to be released from hospital in the next few days. Nearly two weeks ago, the Prime Minister announced that flights from mainland China would be halted from the 1st of February. Border Security and the Australian Immigration officials have been managing this aspect of community safety. Additionally, Australian citizens and permanent residents stranded in China are being evacuated to Christmas Island and an isolated mining camp in the Northern Territory. The airlift evacuations have been organised in association with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island nations. Community concerns around the Coronavirus continue to be heighten by the commentary on social media. The accuracy of the information being talked about on social media requires greater scrutiny. Not everything written is true. An example which highlights this is the report that one of our students had returned directly from mainland China to his classroom. This was not correct as two students in the same class had the same first name. The one at school had not travelled and the one at home was self-isolating with his family. The misinformation in social media had created unnecessary alarm. Reports in social media that students had flown in from China last week do not discern whether they had come from Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei (all allowable) or mainland China (not allowable). I advise all of our community that we should demonstrate trust in each other as we share the common desire for community safety. No one at Mount View wants to do anything that would put community safety, and the safety of individual students, in jeopardy.

Student Drop Off Times

I encourage parents to drop their children off at school prior to 8:50 so that the children can walk to their classes for a calm start to the day. Late arrivals cause students anxiety that can be easily avoided. The healthy routine of arriving a little early to catch up with friends in the yard is the best start for a school day. Six teachers are on duty in the yard and the around the car parks from 8:35 as this is when we can expect most children to arrive.

End of Day Arrangements

The six teachers on Yard Duty at the end of the day supervise students outside until the 3:45 pm bell. All students are expected to be picked up by their parents, or to walk or ride home by themselves, by this time. It is of continuing concern that many children are being left by their parents at the front Office well after 3:45 pm. This is distressing for the child as they are tired, hungry and just want to go home. All parents who leave their children at the Office after 3:45 pm will be required to register for Out of School Hours Care with Camp Australia so that their children can be cared for and fed by the carers engaged by the school for this purpose. On a more positive angle, most parents who know that work and traffic can upset the best of plans, have already registered with Camp Australia to cover this contingency. The expectation by some parents that the Office staff should continue to supervise students after 3:45 pm is unwarranted.

Hats and Uniform

Please ensure that your child has school hat so that they can play outside during Terms 1 and 4. School Uniform Policy is quite clear in detailing the appropriate items of clothing, headwear and footwear for all students. Please go to the school website for the policy.

Student Absences

All student absences should be recorded on Compass by parents. On some occasions students who arrive at school right on 9 am may be incorrectly marked absent by the teachers. This causes a discrepancy in Compass. If this occurs parents would receive an email prompting them to call the school. Parent enquiries to the front Office will now be put through directly to the classroom teacher so that these discrepancies can be minimised.

Tell Me About Your Child Interviews

The first round of Tell Me About Your Child Interviews were conducted this week. This was a great opportunity for teachers to hear from parents about each individual child’s learning needs and interests. The next round of interviews for all parents who have been self-isolating their children will be conducted on Tuesday, 3rd of March.

Year 5 Camp No.1 Coonawarra

The first school camp for 2020 is the new Year 5 Camp No.1 which will be held at Coonawarra Farm Resort at Glenaladale in East Gippsland. This five-day will involve 81 Year 5 students and seven supervising staff members. I am looking forward to attending this camp for the full five days. I have previously taken students from other schools to this high quality camp. A couple of parents had asked me to postpone this camp but as it is so popular there are no alternative openings available this year. Year 5 Camp No. 2 will be held in the last week of Term 1 for the remaining 79 students.

Instrumental Music

The school is currently looking at building the quality of the Instrumental Music Program available to students. At this stage Instrumental Music is outsourced to Metro Music, a private company, but I believe that we can supplement or replace this with a school-managed program. Parents would continue to register their children for the instrument of choice and pay the instrumental teacher per lesson. The program is currently open to students in Years 1 – 6. The limitations of available rooms for the Instrumental Music Program is one of the key factors holding the program back. I will be working with our Performing Arts teachers, Caroline Barron and Laura Dimattina, to improve the program

Glenn Butler

Principal

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